Families, workers and day-trippers had their journeys continually ruined due to striking rail workers - but Jeremy Corbyn believes the man behind them deserves a standing ovation.

During a Christmas party held just days after the Southern action that left much of the country in chaos, the Labour leader gave a firm backing to Tosh McDonald, the president of train drivers' union Aslef.

And with another six-day strike planned by Aslef and the RMT for January 9, Corbyn's show of support is unlikely to go down well with the millions who will have to re-arrange their commutes.

Scroll down for video

Jeremy Corbyn gave a firm backing to Tosh McDonald, the president of train drivers' union Aslef, Tosh McDonald

Corbyn called on the congregation of his supporters at the JC4PM bash to 'stand together' in support of his 'comrade' McDonald

Corbyn's show of support is unlikely to go down well with the millions who will have to re-arrange their commutes

Corbyn called on the congregation of his supporters at the JC4PM bash to 'stand together' in support of his 'comrade' McDonald, as the room rose to its feet in unison, The Sunday Times reports.

He had been sharing a story of how his parents first met at the party venue, Conway Hall, was where his parents met in the 1930s over a Spanish Civil War.

McDonald shouted out a popular phrase from that era - 'no parasan' - which translates as 'they shall not pass'.

Aslef gave £116,252 to the Labour party last year and also lobbied vigorously for his original election as party leader.

He had been sharing a story of how his parents first met at the party venue, Conway Hall, was where his parents met in the 1930s over a Spanish Civil War

McDonald shouted out a popular phrase from that era - 'no parasan' - which translates as 'they shall not pass'

McDonald (far right) is a close political ally of Corbyn, as well bearing a passing resemblance to 1970s rock star Rick Wakeman

At the heart of their relationship is McDonald, a Harley Davidson enthusiast known for ultra-Left-wing pronouncements, along with his passing resemblance to 1970s rock star Rick Wakeman.

He’s a longstanding friend of Corbyn and recently described him as ‘The Messiah, JC’.

That union donated £25,000 to Corbyn’s leadership last year.

The strikes are over plans by Govia Thameslink, which runs Southern, to change the role of conductors to on board superviser, with responsibility for closing train doors switching to drivers.